Also known as: Milchfieber
Die Gebärparese ist eine akute Stoffwechselstörung der Milchkuh rund um die Kalbung, verursacht durch einen plötzlichen Abfall des Blutkalziumspiegels zu Beginn der Laktation. Sie betrifft typischerweise hochleistende ältere Kühe innerhalb ein bis zwei Tagen nach der Kalbung. Niedriges Kalzium verursacht Muskelschwäche, Festliegen und, unbehandelt, Kreislaufkollaps und Tod.
Milk fever (parturient hypocalcemia) is a common periparturient metabolic disease of dairy cattle. Despite the name, there is no fever; the problem is acutely low blood calcium.
The sudden calcium demand of colostrum and milk production at calving outstrips the cow's ability to mobilize calcium. Risk rises with age, high yield, and high-calcium dry-cow diets.
Early excitement and muscle tremor give way to weakness, a cold and dry muzzle, an S-shaped neck, sternal then lateral recumbency, bloat, and eventually coma. Calving difficulty and retained placenta may accompany it.
Clinical signs near calving and response to calcium therapy; confirmed by low serum calcium.
Intravenous calcium given slowly with cardiac monitoring produces rapid recovery; oral calcium supports milder cases.
Low-calcium or anionic (DCAD) dry-cow diets, adequate magnesium, and oral calcium at calving for high-risk cows.
This content is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If you are worried about your pet, contact your veterinarian.
